POLICE have been hunting for discarded weapons as part of a national campaign on knife crime.

This week, officers from the North Bournemouth Neighbourhood Policing Team have been searching through parks and public spaces in the area for any weapons that may have been ditched or hidden.

The searches have been carried out as part of part of Op Sceptre – a national operation that includes targeted operations and activities to raise awareness of the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife.

Bournemouth Police shared photographs of its officers searching through shrubbery for weapons, adding: “North Bournemouth Neighbourhood Policing Team this week have been taking part in Operation Sceptre, a national policing campaign around removing knives and weapons from our streets.

“As part of this campaign officers have been searching local parks and public spaces for any discarded weapons to help ensure our community's safety.”